Catalyst Basics: Platinum, palladium,

and rhodium key ingredients that

make converters tick
By: Dr. Jeff Rieck
Senior Technology Manager, Johnson Matthey
It takes a precise combination of precious metals to help make
catalytic converters an effective method for emission control.
Heres how they work:

Ceramic substrates are coated with a washcoat containing precious metal catalysts prior to installation
into the converter can.

Automotive exhaust contains three harmful pollutants, which are formed due
to inefficiencies in the fuel combustion process. Hydrocarbons (HC) and
carbon monoxide (CO) are formed as a result of the incomplete combustion of
gasoline. Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are created from the burning of the
nitrogen present in the intake air at the high temperatures and pressures
encountered in the cylinders during ignition. HC and NOx are major
contributors to smog formation, and CO reduces the ability of the blood to
pick up and transport oxygen through the body. As a result, catalytic
converters were developed as an after-treatment to reduce these harmful
emissions. Platinum, palladium, and rhodium have historically been the key
active components used in these catalytic converters.
These precious metals are unique in their ability to facilitate the reactions of
HC and CO with oxygen to produce water and carbon dioxide and to promote
the reaction of CO with NOx to convert the NOx to harmless nitrogen gas.
With the combination of a properly tuned engine and a properly designed
catalytic converter, it is theoretically possible to have complete removal of
these pollutants. The precious metals are typically dispersed in a washcoat,

which is then coated on a flow-through ceramic or metallic substrate which

supports them in the exhaust stream. The washcoat contains various
components and additives to promote the activity and durability of the
precious metals.

Exhaust gasses pass through the catalytic converter substrate, which is

coated with a washcoat containing platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), or rhodium
(Rh). Hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
in the exhuast are converted to carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen gas (NOx) and
water vapor (H2O).
These three precious metals each have their own unique properties that
come into play in determining which ones must be used for a particular
application. Platinum is a very good oxidation catalyst and has good
resistance to poisons such as sulfur, phosphorus, or lead, which may be
present in the exhaust. Two drawbacks to platinum are its low activity for the
conversion of NOx and its high price relative to palladium. In addition,
platinum is sensitive to the high temperatures which may occur in the
catalytic converter during high engine loads.
Palladium, which is currently the cheapest of the three metals, has excellent
activity for the oxidation of hydrocarbons as well as very good thermal
durability. In addition, with a well-designed washcoat, palladium can have
very good activity for the removal of NOx. Drawbacks to palladium include its
sensitivity to poisons.

Rhodium, currently the most expensive of the three, has by far the highest
activity for the removal of NOx from the exhaust. In addition, it has significant
activity for the oxidation of HC and CO and very good resistance to the
poisons present in the exhaust stream. Its primary drawback is its high cost.
Most catalytic converters today consist of some combination of palladium and
rhodium. With current precious metal prices, this gives a good trade-off
between cost and performance. While efforts continue to find cheaper
alternatives to the precious metals, the tightening aftermarket and OEM
emission standards make it likely that they will remain the key components of
catalytic converters in the future.